BW alumna-trustee named Union Club board president

As Nora Mahoney '10 begins her new role as president of the esteemed Union Club of Cleveland's Board of Trustees, she takes with her an ongoing legacy of Brown & Gold spirit, intellect and achievement.

It's been 15 years since Mahoney received her diploma from Baldwin Wallace. At the time, the sustainability major, whose interest was biology-focused, was looking to the next step — a fall start at the prestigious Vermont Law and Graduate School.

Upon earning her master's degree and J.D. in 2013, Mahoney began working at Carleton McKenna & Co., an independent investment banking firm, where her career progressed from associate to vice president to principal to managing director.

Today, she is in the early weeks of her new role as board president of the Union Club, one of the oldest private social organizations in Cleveland, whose membership has included five U.S. presidents, as well as countless other notable individuals, since its founding in 1872.

In addition to her role at Carleton McKenna, this position offers everything a focused leader would want — opportunity, challenge, networking and visionary thinking. But for Mahoney, it is also a generational homecoming of sorts. And that makes the new role uniquely special and fulfilling.

A nod to family and future

"While my brother, Patrick Mahoney '14, and I were the first of our family to join the Club, the Union Club has been part of my family for generations," said Mahoney in an article published in the Union Club magazine. "In the 1920s, my great-great aunt took a position as a housemaid at the Club when she emigrated from Ireland. I hope to make her proud.

"My husband and I have been members for 12 years. Matt and I joined the Club as young members and have watched our careers, relationship and family grow during our tenure," she added.

"City Clubs are changing. We are in the process of finalizing our strategic plan, which will clearly define 'who we are' and 'where we should go' — it is up to us, as members of our Club, to put words into action," Mahoney went on to say in the article.

Crediting BW for her success

"Baldwin Wallace is a point source for my success, as all my endeavors since link back to my experience, mentors and friendships built during my time at BW. My connections built during my time at BW, and those developed after, have provided me with business opportunities, personal and professional growth, and a sense of self that continues to guide me in my daily decision-making," emphasized Mahoney.

"BW gave me the skills to handle the complex issues, heavy workloads and different personalities — all three of which directly impact my position each day. Cocurricular involvement as a pathway to success can't be overstated," she articulated.

"The skills I was fine-tuning at BW through my involvement — like time allocation, organization and stress management — were learned in a supportive environment. They provided the building blocks for the optimism, resilience and workload efficiency that I rely on daily," believes Mahoney.

"In addition, the support of my professors and the staff gave me the courage to take risks, try new things and fail. It was through those mistakes, wins and failures that I find strength in decision-making today," she explained.

"I majored in sustainability at BW because that was and remains a true passion of mine. And while I am not directly following that career path today, it is important to note that a BW education provides students with strong transferable skills they can use in any career field," she stated.

"As a current BW trustee and alumna, my love for Baldwin Wallace and passion for its success is unwavering. I feel confident about its present and future because I know it stands on a solid foundation of institutional commitment and success," said Mahoney.